Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the national retrofit programme; the programme of works included under same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39463/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department has recently concluded a public consultation process which sets out the framework for the development of the new retrofit programme. The objective of the programme, which remains subject to funding decisions in light of wider budgetary considerations, is to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to one million domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will not only contribute significantly to the national energy efficiency target of 20% across the economy by 2020, but also stimulate investment in the energy efficiency market, creating employment in the energy and construction sectors.

Proposals were put forward in the consultation process for the focus of the programme to be electricity, building fabric, and heating and ventilation in the domestic, business and public sectors. Transport will be included as a fourth component in the business and public sectors subject to available funding, support will also be made available to encourage innovative solutions and industrial process change.

It is anticipated, subject to funding decisions in light of wider budgetary considerations, that the eligible measures currently available in the Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS), which include roof insulation, wall insulation, high efficiency boilers renewable heating systems and heating control upgrades, will be maintained and integrated into the retrofit programme.